Along with cleaning the loo, preparing meals and washing up, doing the laundry is one of those house-hold chores that never ends, especially during the school holidays. Although most of us have washing machines there are still ways to make it easier. Also delicate summer fabrics and bright colours sometimes need a bit of extra care. We’ve put together our top five tips to turn a chore into a doddle!

​ 1.DressesThis season dresses have really come into their own, with slip and skater styles really popular and sometimes made of delicate fabrics. Gently sponge off any marks or stains before putting into the machine, and read the washing instructions before using the tumble dryer if you have one. With silky fabrics wash on a delicate programme at 30 degrees. If you put onto a hanger and allow to dry naturally you may not need to iron. If you do always turn inside out and press on the wrong side.

2.Sports WearWith sportswear no longer just for the gym, it’s now known as Athleisure wear. It’s popularity having grown because of it being comfortable and easy to wash and wear. The newly developed special fabrics are designed to keep moisture away from the skin and keep you cool with no chaffing. Use only detergent, not fabric softener and on a cool setting.

3.Bright ColoursLots of these this summer! Also bold patterns and stripes, so to prevent fading sort laundry into colour intensity. Most colours however bright don’t normally leech out even from cheap clothes these days but colours can fade so wash on a short cycle with a cool temperature, and don’t overdose on fabric softener, which can leave a dull finish. If you have a special extra bright item it’s probably safer to hand wash.

4.Classics And WhitesSummer tops and tee-shirts usually get extra grubby around collars and cuffs so it’s a good idea to invest in a pre-wash stain remover and wash all whites together. White jeans and trousers are also a big fashion summer look and one wear often means they are grubby so soak for an hour in detergent before putting in the machine. Delicate pastels usually get extra grubby around collars and cuffs so it’s a good idea to invest in a pre-wash stain remover and wash all whites together. White jeans and trousers are also a big fashion summer look and one wear often means they are grubby so soak for an hour in detergent before putting in the machine. Delicate pastels also benefit from a pre-wash sponge and maybe a short soak before washing.

5.Your Machine If you need to buy a new machine look for one which has a high spin speed, meaning less water in the load and quicker drying. If you live alone choose a machine with a small drum, also useful if you’re a busy mum with frequent, small amounts to wash. Some machines have anti-allergy programmes and anti-stain cycles and extra quick washes, depending on what you can afford.

Use our top tips to help you to lengthen the life of your clothes and to make life a little easier.